Avraham and Sarah, having been married for many years, were finally blessed with a child. The child was named Yitzchak recalling the “tzchok - the laughter” of Sarah when she heard the astounding news that she would give birth in her old age.
What was the significance of Sarah’s laughter such that her son was named after it? Further, why did she need to wait so long before being blessed with a child?
Chazal compare Sarah, who lived for 127 years, to Esther Hamalka who reigned over 127 countries (Bereshis Rabah 3:58). What is the connection between the two? Moreover, it is axiomatic that ma'aseh avos siman l’banim - the deeds and experiences of the avos and imahos chart a path forward for their descendants. What lessons can be learnt from Sarah Imenu and Esther Hamalka for the future? Is there a particular message for us in these fraught and challenging times? Can we take solace amid all of the death, captivity, anti-Semitism, and the passing of one of the great Gedolim - R’ Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi zt”l - all in the past several weeks?
Borrowing from the Grey Market
R’ Shlomo was a wealthy businessman. He owned many companies, stores, and even some factories. Life was pleasant and comfortable - he and his family lived well and he always made sure to give plenty of tzedakah.
Unfortunately, the wheel of fortune turned and his businesses ran into financial trouble. Slowly he had to cut back on his lavish lifestyle and even began closing down some of his stores. As his assets dwindled, he became desperate, and, in sore need of funds, he unwisely borrowed large sums of money from the grey market in an attempt to save his businesses. This did little to help the situation, and, before long, he realized that he was close to shuttering his entire business and that he would be left with large debts, not only to friends, family, and the bank, but also to the grey market. He knew what that meant.
Going to The Rebbe!
Realizing that he was in a mess with no way out, he decided to visit his beloved Rebbe. As a faithful chassid he visited several times a year as well as for special occasions and before family simchos. He felt a close connection and was sure the Rebbe would have the solution for his difficult situation.
The trip took a few days but finally, he found himself sitting in the waiting room in front of the Rebbe's inner chambers. The gabbaim were happy to see him and, upon hearing of his plight, rushed him right in. R’ Shlomo poured out his heart to the Rebbe, explaining how his business had gone from bad to worse, how he took loans from the wrong places, and now, not only was he on the brink of poverty and being thrown out of his house, he was also in real danger from those he had borrowed from.
The Rebbe listened attentively to what he was saying, sighed, and really sympathized. R’ Shlomo was sure that he would have the solution along with some sage advice, but surprisingly the Rebbe simply said, “I’m so sorry to hear this”. “So what should I do?” asked Shlomo. “I don't know", replied the Rebbe calmly. "I am not a bank nor a financial adviser”. Shlomo broke down in tears. “Rebbe, will you at least daven for me?” he sobbed. But the Rebbe explained that he could not and R’ Shlomo was so desperate that he fell to the floor, begging for at least a bracha.
Even the Rebbe Can't help Me!
The Rebbe refused and escorted him out. The broken R’ Shlomo was sobbing intensely and, as he sat down, he said, “oy Ribbono Shel Olam, no one can help me, not even the Rebbe can give me a bracha - You must help me”. Upon hearing these words the Rebbe called him back into his room and said: “Now that you realize that no one can help you, and that you are dependent upon Hashem alone, let me give you some advice and a warm bracha. Your trust should not be in me but in Hashem.”
This anecdote might seem light hearted, but in reality it is what happens in our lives and is something that has been happening throughout history. Hashem puts us in a situation - a tzarah - so that we should turn to Him, be close to Him and feel dependent upon Him. However, instead of taking Him up on His offer, we turn to all kinds of other solutions. Hashem removes them one by one until we are so deep in the abyss that we are left with nothing, and eventually we come to see that nothing else can save us apart from Him.
Without a Womb
Avraham and Sarah were childless for many years. Why so? Because misaveh Hakadosh Baruch Hu l’tefilasam shel tzaddikim - Hashem desires the prayers of the righteous.
Usually Hashem minimises nissim. It seems strange, therefore, that He created Sarah without a womb, given that this would require an open miracle to enable her to give birth. Why did Hashem not simply refrain from granting her children?
Every couple who wait many years for children daven intensely to Hashem. However, they also go to doctors, seek medical treatment, and look for alternative ways to bring the yeshua. In the case of Sarah Hashem wanted her to be fully dependent on Him. There was to be nothing else for her to depend on or even mildly believe in. He therefore created her with no womb at all, thus no doctor nor medication would be of any help. This brought her and Avraham to complete dependence on Hashem.
Why Laugh?
R’ Pincus explained that laughter comes from an unexpected outcome. “Az y’maley sechok pinu” - when mashiach comes we will be full of laughter because we will see that all of the tzaros were actually for our best - they brought us closer to Hashem and to better places.
Sarah laughed when she suddenly realised that all the pain of the many years not bearing children and without even having a womb, brought her to depend fully on Hashem. It was this that had brought her yeshua.
Why Antagonise Him?
The same was true of Mordechai and Esther. During their time Klal Yisrael had sinned terribly and were in terrible danger of the decree “l’hashmid laharog u’l’abed ess kol haYehudim”. Haman made a decree that everyone had to bow down to him. Mordechai went out specially, stood in front of Haman, and did not bow down. This seems like strange behaviour. While it would have been commendable to refrain from bowing, why antagonize the biggest enemy of Klal Yisrael? Why not stay out of Haman’s way?
Furthermore, when Esther had the opportunity to ask Achashverosh for any wish, instead of requesting something that would help Klal Yisrael, she asked for a party and invited Haman. And once they were together and she finally had the opportunity to make her request she again invited Haman. What was this game all about?
R’ Pincus explains that Klal Yisrael were in grave peril at that time. Achashverosh, who ruled meiHodu v’ad Kush, whose kingdom spanned all of the nations of the world, gave Haman the authority to wipe out the Yidden. To save themselves they needed to return to Hashem entirely, and to be fully dependent on Him. Only a tefila in that frame of mind would help.
